Why the US needs China's rare earths

Ayeshea Perera

Sourec Link

Neodymium is used to make the powerful magnets used in loudspeakers and computer hard drives

The trade war between China and the US has reignited after a truce lasting months - this time over rare earths.

China has a chokehold on the minerals which are used in the making of electric cars, electronics and military weapons. It has tightened its grip over rare earth exports in recent months, and now requires companies in China to get government approval before shipping the minerals abroad.

These curbs have dealt a major blow to the US, whose industries are heavily dependent on imports of the precious metal.

Analysts say China is using its dominance as a key bargaining chip in trade talks with Washington.

But why exactly are rare earths so important and how could they shake up the trade war?

What are rare earths and what are they used for?

Rare earths are a group of 17 chemically similar elements that are crucial to the manufacture of many high-tech products.

Most are abundant in nature, but they are known as rare because it is very unusual to find them in a pure form, and they are very hazardous to extract.

Although you may not be familiar with the names of these rare earths - like neodymium, yttrium and europium - you will be very familiar with the products that they are used in.

For instance, neodymium is used to make the powerful magnets used in loudspeakers, computer hard drives, EV motors and jet engines that enable them to be smaller and more efficient.